Transpyloric Feed in Reflux-Associated Apnea in Preterm Newborns: A Prospective Study.

Background: The etiological correlation between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and apnea is controversial. We conducted a prospective interventional study designed to address the controversy. Methods: Preterm neonates with apnea at a tertiary care center, who had clinical features of GER without any other comorbidities likely to cause apnea, were included in the study. The enrolled neonates underwent continuous transpyloric tube feeding for 72 hours. The primary outcome measure was the difference in the number of apneic episodes pre- and post-initiation of nasoduodenal (ND) feeding. Secondary outcome measures included the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis, other gastrointestinal disturbances, and mortality. Results: Sixteen preterm neonates were included in the study. A substantial proportion (n =11, 68.8%) of the included neonates had a reduction in the number of apneic episodes. There was a significant decrease in the mean number of apneic episodes from 1.75 (±0.837) to 0.969 (±0.957) (P=.007). The median number of apneas was 1.5 (IQR 0.875) before and 0.5 (IQR 0.875) after ND feeds. There were no serious adverse events observed that were attributable to transpyloric feeding. Conclusion: This prospective study suggests that in a selected group of preterm neonates with reflux- associated apnea, transpyloric feeding can be an effective therapeutic modality.

Controversies on the relationship between increased body mass index and treatment-resistant chronic constipation in children.

BACKGROUND: There are conflicting reports on the association between children with increased body mass index (BMI), and constipation. This retrospective chart review of two groups of children from a primary care clinic was designed to address the controversy. METHODS: Group-1: Charts of all children seen in a year for general pediatric care were reviewed for incidences of increased BMI (>85th percentile) and constipation as well as overweight recognition in the final diagnosis; Group-2: Children diagnosed with constipation at the same primary care setting for 5 years were identified by ICD-9 code. These charts were reviewed for prevalence of increased BMI and incidences of referral to subspecialty clinic. RESULTS: Group-1: Three hundred nineteen (33.4%) of the 955 children had increased BMI and 28 (2.93%) had constipation. The prevalence of constipation was not increased among children with increased BMI. Group-2: 24 of the 66 children with constipation were referred to the pediatric gastroenterology clinic. children with increased BMI were three times more likely to be referred (n = 20, p = 0.04). The two groups had a similar prevalence of children with increased BMI (Group 1 = 33.4%; Group 2 = 30.3%). CONCLUSION: In the general pediatric population, children with an increased BMI were not at an increased risk of developing constipation. However, children with increased BMI and constipation were three times more likely to be referred, presumably for treatment failure, to the pediatric gastroenterology clinic .Hence children with increased BMI were more likely to develop treatment resistant constipation.

Is biliary scintigraphy a reliable diagnostic tool for biliary dyskinesia in children?

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The role of hepatobiliary scintiscan (HIDA) in children suspected to be having functional biliary tract disease has not been studied. We evaluated HIDA scan results as long-term prognostic indicators for biliary dyskinesia with or without intervention. METHODS: Children who had HIDA scan for chronic abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting were included. These children had inconclusive gastrointestinal diagnostic workup. HIDA scan was performed according to a standardized protocol. Clinical data were collected by retrospective chart review. A telephonic survey was done 5 years after the initial HIDA scan to document long-term outcome. RESULTS: Forty-two of 61 children had abnormal HIDA scan. There was no difference between children with normal and abnormal HIDA results in clinical presentations, short-term (85.7% and 84.2%) and long-term (64.9% and 60%) outcomes. Twenty-seven of the 42 children with abnormal scan results underwent interventions (21 cholecystectomy only, 4 cholecystectomy followed by sphincter of Oddi sphincterotomy, and 2 sphincterotomy only). After intervention, children with abnormal HIDA scan had better short-term prognosis (88.9% and 54.5%), but their long-term prognosis (52.2% and 85.7%) was worse than those without intervention. No clinical prognostic factor could be identified. CONCLUSIONS: HIDA scan result is not a good prognostic indicator in children with suspected biliary dyskinesia. Caution should be exercised while using HIDA scan for selecting patients for surgical intervention. Focused prospective studies are needed to define biliary dyskinesia in children.

Can acid (pH) refluxes predict multichannel intraluminal impedance refluxes? A correlation study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The present study aims to explore if and when acid (pH) refluxes can predict refluxes detected by multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII) studies. This correlation may indicate whether pH probe-only and MII-pH studies are interchangeable. METHODS: Prospective observational cross sectional study of symptomatic children (below 18 years) who had MII-pH studies done for gastroesophageal reflux. Clinical data were extracted from patient records. Non-parametric tests, Pearson's rho and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 153 children were included in the study and 62% were on acid suppression. Indices for acid and MII refluxes correlated with each other only in those without acid suppression. This correlation was lost in children on acid suppression. There was no statistically significant difference in acid or MII reflux indices in children with or without acid suppression. Like acid reflux, indices for MII refluxes had good correlation with each other irrespective of acid suppression. Liquid and mixed MII refluxes showed excellent correlation with respective types of proximally migrating refluxes. The values for MII reflux indices derived from our patient population were in broad agreement with available pediatric and adult data. CONCLUSIONS: A pH probe-only study in patients without acid suppression may reflect both acid and volume (MII) reflux activities adequately and can substitute for MII-pH study. The observed excellent correlation between acid and MII refluxes with proximal migration may justify using pH probe-only studies for extra esophageal symptoms in patients without acid suppression.

A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of lactobacillus GG in infantile diarrhea.

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 229 infants hospitalized for acute diarrhea in rural India were given a 10-day course of Lactobacillus rhammosus GG (minimum dose, 10 degrees bacteria) or placebo. There was no difference in groups in the duration of diarrhea or numbers of stool on days 3, 6, or 10 of treatment.

A prospective study of rotavirus diarrhea in children under 1 year of age.

The aim of this study was to document the changing clinical profile and prognosis of acute diarrhea in infants. This was a prospective observational study with follow-up. Demographic, anthropometric, and clinical data were collected in children younger than 1 year with acute diarrhea. Stool was examined under the microscope, cultured, tested for presence of reducing substance and occult blood, and subjected to electrophoresis to detect rotavirus infection. Thirty-one (91.2%) of the 34 infants were breastfed, 18 exclusively and 13 partially. Twenty-three had rotavirus infection and had slower nutritional recovery than others. There was no difference in the incidence of rotavirus infection between exclusively and partially breastfed infants. Continuation of feeds containing lactose did not affect prognosis, though 23 (67.6%) infants had reducing substance in stool. We documented a high incidence of rotavirus infection, which negatively affected growth of infants by some ill-defined mechanism. Failure of exclusive breastfeeding to protect against rotavirus infection highlights the need for universal rotavirus vaccination. Lactose malabsorption detected in many infants did not affect prognosis after acute diarrhea.

Whole-Body Vibration Mimics the Metabolic Effects of Exercise in Male Leptin Receptor-Deficient Mice.

Whole-body vibration (WBV) has gained attention as a potential exercise mimetic, but direct comparisons with the metabolic effects of exercise are scarce. To determine whether WBV recapitulates the metabolic and osteogenic effects of physical activity, we exposed male wild-type (WT) and leptin receptor-deficient (db/db) mice to daily treadmill exercise (TE) or WBV for 3 months. Body weights were analyzed and compared with WT and db/db mice that remained sedentary. Glucose and insulin tolerance testing revealed comparable attenuation of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in db/db mice following TE or WBV. Both interventions reduced body weight in db/db mice and normalized muscle fiber diameter. TE or WBV also attenuated adipocyte hypertrophy in visceral adipose tissue and reduced hepatic lipid content in db/db mice. Although the effects of leptin receptor deficiency on cortical bone structure were not eliminated by either intervention, exercise and WBV increased circulating levels of osteocalcin in db/db mice. In the context of increased serum osteocalcin, the modest effects of TE and WBV on bone geometry, mineralization, and biomechanics may reflect subtle increases in osteoblast activity in multiple areas of the skeleton. Taken together, these observations indicate that WBV recapitulates the effects of exercise on metabolism in type 2 diabetes.

Chronic constipation in overweight children.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and functional constipation seem to share a common biopsychosocial model of causation. Though chronic constipation can significantly affect the quality of life of an overweight child, this association has not been highlighted in the literature. The purpose of this study was to compare the proportion of overweight children among children with chronic constipation with a control group of children with normal bowel habits. METHODS: Retrospective chart review with a control population. One hundred one consecutive children 5-18 years of age referred to the Subspecialty Clinic for functional constipation were the study group. The control group consisted of 100 consecutive children from the general pediatric practice seen for physicals and minor illnesses. Children with a body mass index (BMI) of >85 percentile from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) 2000 chart were classified as overweight. RESULTS: The control and study groups were statistically comparable in mean age (10.97 +/- 3.83 years and 8.07 +/- 2.56 years, respectively) and gender ratio (58 males in each group). Thirty children in the control group and 44 in the study population were overweight (p < .05). Among children with chronic constipation, the group of overweight children was male predominant (70.45% vs 47.36%, p < .05), had increased incidence of psychological/behavioral problems (45.45% vs 22.8%, p < .05), and was more likely to fail treatment (40.9% vs 21.05%, p < .05). There was no significant difference in the clinical profile of constipation, such as mean duration of constipation before presentation, sex ratio, incidence of painful defecation, and soiling and frequency of defecation between these 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: There appears to be an association between chronic severe constipation and being overweight. Children with constipation are more likely to be overweight when compared with controls. Among children with chronic constipation, overweight individuals seem to constitute a distinct clinical group. This group is male predominant, has increased incidence of psychological/behavioral disorders, and is more likely to fail treatment.

Biliary dyskinesia: the most common indication for cholecystectomy in children.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to examine the current indications for cholecystectomy in children and to evaluate the results after such surgery. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 107 consecutive cholecystectomies performed in children at the Children's Hospital of Illinois between October 1998 and September 2003. Hospital medical charts and outpatient clinic charts were reviewed. Patients' families were contacted by telephone to obtain longer-term follow-up. Results were analyzed with SPSS 12.0 for Windows (SPSS Inc, Chicago, Ill). RESULTS: Biliary dyskinesia (BD) was the indication for surgery for 62 (58%) of the 107 children who underwent cholecystectomy during the study period. Gallbladder calculus (GC) disease was the next most common indication with 29 (27%) children. The duration of symptoms was longer for BD. The most common presenting symptom in both groups was abdominal pain. Food intolerance was reported by 45% of patients with BD, significantly higher than patients with GC. Mean length of stay after cholecystectomy was 17 hours and 45 hours for BD and GC, respectively. Short-term follow-up showed relief or improvement of symptoms in 85% of children with BD and in 97% with GC. There were no deaths. Two (1.9%) children of the total of 107 developed complications; both had intra-abdominal abscesses. Most patients had complete or considerable long-term improvement in symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Biliary dyskinesia was the most common indication for cholecystectomy in children in our study. More than half of the surgeries were performed on an outpatient basis. Morbidity was minimal and mortality was zero. We had satisfactory short- and long-term symptom resolution with long-term patient satisfaction reaching 95%.

Regional variations in fibre growth dynamics of myotomal and caudal fin muscles in relation to body size of a freshwater teleost, Barbus sarana (Cuv. & Val.).

The growth of red fibres in anterior and middle myotomal regions of B. sarana was mainly by hyperplasia in smaller size classes. In higher size classes, growth by hyperplasia was greater in posterior myotomal region compared to the other two myotomal regions. The growth of pink fibres in anterior myotomal regions was mainly by hypertrophy. The middle and posterior myotomal regions showed fibre growth by hyperplasia. The growth dynamics of white fibres revealed more or less similar pattern in all three myotomal regions against the somatic development. White fibres grew by hyperplasia up to 8 cm F.L. size classes and thereafter by hypertrophy. However, in > 12 cm F.L. size classes, the mean diameter of white fibres did not increase significantly. Similar pattern of growth was found in the white fibres of caudal fin muscle. It is interesting to note that the hyperplasia was mostly completed in the white fibres of the smallest fish studies, whereas, it continued to quite larger fish size in red and pink fibres. Thus, hyperplasia and hypertrophy may be responsible for growth in all fibre types in all myotomal regions in relation to somatic development in this small and medium growing species.

Heterotopic gastric mucosa of the upper esophagus following repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula.

A term female newborn underwent uncomplicated repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (type C) then coarctation of the aorta. Subsequently, she developed symptomatic esophageal strictures, which required serial dilations. In addition, she suffered feeding intolerance from esophageal dysmotility and gastroesophageal reflux disease, necessitating Nissen fundoplication with gastrostomy. At 6 years of age, surveillance esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed mild stenosis and heterotopic gastric mucosa of the upper esophagus at the level of the anastomosis. This is the second report of heterotopic gastric mucosa of the upper esophagus at the level of the anastomosis following repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula.

Lower uncarboxylated osteocalcin concentrations in children with prediabetes is associated with beta-cell function.

CONTEXT: Although animal studies suggest that it is the uncarboxylated rather than carboxylated form of osteocalcin that affects glucose homeostasis, the human data are scant and equivocal. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated associations of uncarboxylated and carboxylated forms of osteocalcin with insulin sensitivity and ß-cell function in 140 overweight prepubertal children (43% female, 46% black, 84% obese) with normal glucose levels (n = 99) and prediabetes (n = 41). METHODS: An oral glucose tolerance test was used to identify prediabetes and for measurement of insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index), ß-cell function [oral glucose tolerance test derived insulinogenic index and disposition index (DI(OGTT))] and uncarboxylated and carboxylated forms of osteocalcin. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: After controlling for age, sex and race, lower uncarboxylated osteocalcin concentrations, Matsuda index, insulinogenic index, and DI(OGTT) and higher VAT levels were found in the prediabetes vs. normal-glucose group (all P < 0.03). Carboxylated osteocalcin levels were not different between groups. Multiple linear regression adjusting for age, sex, race, and VAT revealed that uncarboxylated osteocalcin was associated with insulinogenic index and DI(OGTT) (ß = 0.34, 0.36, respectively, both P < 0.04) in the prediabetes group but not the normal-glucose group. In both the normal-glucose and prediabetes groups, carboxylated osteocalcin was associated with insulin sensitivity (ß = 0.26, 0.47, respectively, both P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the lower uncarboxylated osteocalcin concentrations found in children with prediabetes may be associated with ß-cell dysfunction. In addition, our findings between carboxylated osteocalcin and insulin sensitivity suggest that carboxylated osteocalcin plays a role in human glucose homeostasis.

Lower bone mass in prepubertal overweight children with prediabetes.

Childhood studies of the fat-bone relationship are conflicting, possibly reflecting the influence of metabolic abnormalities in some but not all obese children. Bone mass was compared between prepubertal overweight children with (n = 41) and without (n = 99) prediabetes. Associations of bone mass with measures of total and central adiposity, glucose intolerance, insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, systemic inflammation, and osteocalcin also were determined. In 140 overweight children aged 7 to 11 years, an oral glucose tolerance test was used to identify those with prediabetes and for determination of glucose, 2-hour glucose, glucose area under the curve (AUC), insulin, 2-hour insulin, and insulin AUC. Blood samples also were assessed for lipids, C-reactive protein, and osteocalcin. Total-body bone mineral content (BMC), fat-free soft tissue mass (FFST), and fat mass (FM) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SAAT) were assessed using MRI. Total-body BMC was 4% lower in overweight children with prediabetes than in those without prediabetes after controlling for sex, race, height, and weight (p = .03). In the total sample, FM was positively related with BMC (ß = 0.16, p = .01) after adjusting for sex, race, height, and FFST. However, VAT (ß = -0.13, p = .03) and SAAT (ß = -0.34, p = .02) were inversely associated with BMC after controlling for sex, race, height, FFST, FM, and SAAT or VAT. No significant associations were found between BMC and the biochemical measurements. Prepubertal overweight children with prediabetes may be at risk for poor skeletal development. In addition, it appears that greater levels of central rather than total adiposity may be deleterious for developing bone.

Transpyloric feeding in gastroesophageal-reflux-associated apnea in premature infants.

OBJECTIVE: The aetiological role of gastroesophageal reflux in apnea of prematurity is controversial. We hypothesized that transpyloric feeds, which decreases reflux and aspiration, will not be associated with decrease in reflux-related apnea. STUDY DESIGN: The shows retrospective chart review of 41 premature babies on transpyloric feeds. Fifteen infants meeting the inclusion criteria of apnea of prematurity and clinical evidence of gastroesophageal reflux were included. Primary data points were number of apneas before and after transpyloric feeds. t-statistics was used for analysis. RESULTS: Twelve of the 15 babies showed significant improvement on transpyloric feeds (p <. 005). The nonresponders were identified within 48 h. After discontinuation of transpyloric feeds, 2 responders underwent antireflux surgery and 9 were discharged without further intervention. No transpyloric-tube-related complication was documented. CONCLUSION: Transpyloric feeds may be useful for diagnosis and management of suspected gastroesophageal-reflux-associated apnea in a selected group of infants.

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction in children with recurrent abdominal pain: 5-year follow-up after endoscopic sphincterotomy.

BACKGROUND: Sphincter of Oddi (SO) dysfunction has not been reported as a cause of recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) in children. We present a 5-year follow-up of a group of children with RAP and manometry proven SO dysfunction. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of children who underwent SO manometry and endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) for recurrent abdominal pain. Long-term follow-up was obtained by telephone survey. RESULTS: Eleven of the 12 children had abdominal pain; one had reproducible postprandial discomfort. Five children localized the pain to the upper abdomen. The same number of children had associated nausea or vomiting. On hepatobiliary scintigraphy study, three children had SO dysfunction type curve, four had low ejection fraction and nine had reproduction of symptoms on cholecystokinin (CCK) infusion. SO manometry revealed elevated pressure in 11 children. The remaining child had paradoxical contraction of the SO. On short-term follow-up, eight children had resolution of symptoms after ES, three did not respond and one had recurrence of symptom in 6 months. Children symptomatic for less than 1 year were more likely to respond to ES (P < 0.01). All children with upper abdominal pain with nausea and/or vomiting, postprandial pain and SO type scintiscan curve responded to ES. On long-term follow-up, seven of the eight responders to ES remained symptom free, one recurred with irritable bowel syndrome-like symptoms. One child with recurrent symptoms had resolution after cholecystectomy and another non-responder improved after an appendectomy. CONCLUSION: SO dysfunction is an uncommon but treatable cause of RAP in children. Awareness of this condition may help a segment of children with RAP.